Shoe form



Sept. 1, 1936.

C. E. HARRIMAN SHOE FORM Filed Feb. 12, 1955 Patented Sept. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES 2.053.241, SHOE FORM Charles E. Harriman, West Bridgewater, Mass, assignor to Jones & Vining, Inc., Brockton, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 12, 1935, Serial No. 6,176 1 Claim. (01. 12-1231) My present invention is a novel and improved shoe form, shoe tree, follower, or shoe display device.

The object of the invention is to improve, perfeet, and simplify such shoe forms and to provide a construction which will greatly facilitate the insertion and removal of the form in a completed shoe.

To carry out this feature, I provide an extremely simple and eflicient shoe form with a forepart and a heel part, and a line of cut and a connecting link uniting them which will permit a very quick and extensive shortening of the two portions when removing or inserting them in a shoe.

This is an important advantage in a device of the present type, wherein the main object is to keep the shoe upper smooth and in extended condition for display purposes, and also which can be readily inserted and removed without straining the shoe upper materials or fastenings.

A further important feature is to provide a shoe tree or shoe form of this type which is extremely economical in construction, simple to make, and can be quickly assembled with a minimum of labor and simplicity of operation.

In carrying out the invention, I provide a simple last block from which the shoe form or shoe tree is to be made, of any desired style, size, or

contour, and then by two lines of cut divide the last block into a forepart and heel part, these lines of cut diverging to form a suitable space for the shortening and collapsing of the shoe form when in folded position to effect a quick shortening.

Further important features, advantages, and novelties will be hereinafter more fully pointed out and claimed.

Referring to the drawing illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention,

Fig. 1 is a side view of my completed shoe form in extended position and outlined within a shoe;

Fig. 2 illustrates the same in shortened position ready for inserting and removing from a shoe;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the bottom portion;

Fig. 4 is a perspective illustrating the line of cut on the forepart, and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the last hinge in extended position- Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing a modification.

As shown in the drawing, my improved shoe tree, form, or follower comprises a forepart l,

heel part 2, divided on diverging linesof cut as shown at 3 and 4 providing a substantial space between the same. The line of cut designated 7 at 3 extends from the top or cone of the last at 5 completely through to the bottom portion 6, while the line of cut 4 extends also from the point 5 on a different curve from that of 3 to a point substantially as indicated at I, whereupon an intersecting line of cut 8 is formed as shown, thus leaving the extension In on the forepart.

A saw kerf i2 on the heel portion and a similar 10 saw kerf It on the forepart are formed longi- 'tudinally and in alignment to permit the insertion of a flat link IS, with the end portions secured respectively in the saw kerf l2 in the heel part 2 by a pin l6, and in the saw kerf l5 15 to the forepart I by a pin II.

In order to facilitate the shortening and straightening action of the two last parts, I round off the contacting faces between the extensions ii and the heel part and to still further provide 20 for and facilitate the operation, with the small link 15 uniting the two parts, I form a cut-away portion for clearance either on the forepart or heel part. Thus, in the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, I illustrate the clearance or cut-away por- 25 tion 20 formed in the heel portion, whereas in the modified construction of Figs. 4 and 5, I cut away the forepart as shown at 2!, thus affording a clearance for the collapsing and extension of the two parts during collapsing and straighten- 30 ing, which features are essential because of the small link 15 uniting them.

This arrangement eliminates the necessity of double links, springs, expensive bearings, cross sawings, and other numerous operations and 35 handling during the usual shoe tree manufacturing operations and, hence, greatly simplifies the expense of making, assembling, and operating.

I may utilize my present invention in any form and style of material, preferably showing the 40 same in a complete wooden and shoe form structure, as indicated in the drawing, and with either the forepart solid, as in Figs. 1 and 2, or with an open section, as indicated at 25 in Fig. 3, these features being entirely optional. 45

In the modified form illustrated in Fig. 6, I have formed the two last parts on a line of cut dividing the forepart 3| from the heel part 32 on a continuous curved line. This eliminates crosssawing and considerable handling as both lines 50 of cut dividing the forepart and heel part and formed upon a continuous curve in each instance, substantially as indicated in Fig. 6 at 33 and 34, enable the entire sections from the point 35 on the cone to the point 36 on the last bottom to be 55 This same feature is largely obtained by the"- curved sections 3 and 4 in the forms shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and, in either case, the last folds quickly and snugly together whenin shortenedposition and, when in extended position, has a out form bearing at the cone part and at the last bottom. 7 7

My present invention greatly simplifying the making of shoe trees or shoe forms, while also expediting the quick shortening and extension'action for removing and inserting in a shoe without injury or damage to the shoe upper, is of great importancean-d will beappreciated by those skilled in the art to which it relates.

For use in ordinary Oxford shoes, the last may extend out of the shoe top but otherwise if the saw cut from the point in the cone of the last is below the shoe upper, as in many instances, then the tongue of the shoe would be loosened to insert and remove the shoe form, as shown in Fig. 2. Also, the extension l0 may be formed on a heel part, if desired, and the lines of cut varied accordingly.

I claim:

As an improved article of manufacture, an improved shoe tree, form, or the like having a forepa-rt and a heel part divided by two diverging lines of cut formed on continuous curves starting from the same. point in the cone and leaving the last parts in contact at the cone, together'with an extension on one part adjacent the last bottom, separating last parts at the bottom, and a link uniting't'he same whereby the diverging curves on the forepart andheel part will be in contact substantially-throughout the greater part of their length when the last is shortened.

CHARLESv E. HARRIMAN. 

